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Members discuss Student Union Board restructuring

Matt Bramanti | Tuesday, December 2, 2003

The Council of Representatives convened Monday evening to discuss deadlines for the restructuring of student government, but little progress was made.

Student leaders continued last week’s discussion of when to finalize the new constitution for the Student Union, which has been in the works for months, but no solid dates emerged. Student body vice president Jeremy Lao said the council wasn’t ready to set a firm deadline. “That final date is still up in the air,” he said.

Some members of the council, like Student Union Board manager Charlie Ebersol, criticized the council’s failure to set a deadline. “We are really, really not in a good position right now,” Ebersol said. “We need to choose a model this week.”

Several possible models have been discussed at council meetings and unofficial working groups, and more are in the works.

Don Norton, chairman of the Financial Management Board, said that he and several unnamed members are still working on their proposal. “Before we bring it to the table, we want to have as many questions answered as possible,” Norton said.

Ebersol criticized what he called the work of “a secret group,” and demanded that the proposals be debated openly and promptly. “We only have one more meeting this semester,” he said. “We need to get this done.”

In other Council news:

uLao announced that his report to the University’s Board of Trustees in February will focus on funding big-ticket programming. In his first report to the board as president, he will propose creating an endowment that will be used to fund expensive concerts, speakers, and other events. “We need more money for better programming on campus,” Lao said. He also announced the creation of a committee to help develop the proposal, and expressed optimism about his plan. “I think there’s good potential that this could get done,” he said.

uA special task force is continuing its discussions with athletic officials regarding basketball and football ticketing. Season tickets for the men’s basketball games sold out quickly, and many students were left without seats. In addition, the group is looking into allegations of hostile or unfair treatment of students caught throwing marshmallows at football games. Hall Presidents Council chair Sarah Keefer said the group is in contact with assistant athletic director Jim Fraleigh and coordinator of stadium personnel Cappy Gagnon.

uKeri Oxley spoke to the council about the Center for Social Concerns’ upcoming Social Concerns Festival. The fair will bring together “all the different service organizations and social justice groups on campus,” she said. Oxley urged council members to raise awareness about the festival among their constituents, as attendance at the annual event has declined for the past two years. The festival will be held at the CSC on Jan. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m.

uLao announced the appointment of his new chief of staff. Patrick Corker, currently director of communication for the office of the president, will become chief of staff at the end of the semester, when student body president Pat Hallahan graduates. Corker will replace Emily Chin, who will become student body vice president. Corker pledged to continue Chin’s work. “I really want to continue the initiatives Emily’s been working on,” Corker said. “She’s done a wonderful job.”